Facial masks: what you should and shouldn’t do
Facial masks have become a go-to product for home care. They are easy to use and produce amazing results. But are you sure you’re using your favorite facial mask correctly? Here you can learn more about what to look out for when using facial masks.
Find the right facial mask
Focus on what you want to achieve with your facial mask. It’s designed to help your skin look its best. Does your skin feel dry right now? Opt for a nourishing and hydrating facial mask. Do you have skin imperfections? Opt for a facial mask with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients. Always listen to how your skin feels and looks to get amazing results.
Don’t ignore your skin type and how it’s feeling right now. Typically, you have oilier skin, but it can still be dehydrated. Finding the right facial mask for you at this point will work to your advantage in the long run.
Before you apply a facial mask
Don’t use a facial mask if you’re wearing makeup. Using a facial mask while you’re wearing sunscreen, makeup, and moisturizer can clog your pores, leading to possible breakouts and inflammation.
Cleanse your face thoroughly before applying a facial mask. You can use your usual cleansing and toning routine. As an extra step, you can also apply serum before applying the mask so that the skin absorbs all the ingredients faster.
Applying the mask
Smooth the mask to any face shape to ensure that the mask fits securely. You can even pull up the outside of the mask to create a long-term lifting effect on the face. If you are a man with a beard, you can always trim the mask so that it covers your beard neatly. Just place the remaining cloth around your neck.
Don’t forget to remove the usual plastic wrap on the mask so that it can be easily removed. Leaving the plastic wrap on the mask can irritate the skin and prevent the skin from properly absorbing the serum and ingredients.
Residue
Don’t discard the mask packaging before checking for any residue.
Apply the residue from the packaging to your neck, shoulders and back of your hands.
Time
Keep the mask on for the right amount of time. It is not recommended to sleep with a sheet mask on because when the sheet mask dries, it absorbs moisture from the skin back into the sheet mask. A good way to make the most of the product is to turn the mask to the other side midway.
Don’t forget to check how long you’ve worn the mask, as it varies from mask to mask. Most of the time it’s 15 to 30 minutes. You can remove the mask while it’s still wet. Don’t be tempted to reuse the mask, as this could transfer bacteria to your skin.
Removing the Mask Sheet
Don’t wash your face after using the mask, as this will wash off all the wonderful ingredients you just applied!
Apply the remaining serum to your face, neck, and shoulders, then discard the mask. Why not apply it to a dry part of your body, like your knees or elbows?
What to do afterwards?
What to do afterwards?
After removing the mask, continue with your skincare routine, such as: B, eye cream, and night cream.
Don’t end your skincare routine with a mask. You may feel like your skin is already well cared for, but a moisturizer will help preserve all the benefits of the mask’s ingredients.
How often do I use a mask?
Use a sheet mask 1-3 times a week. You don’t always have to use the same type. Listen to what your skin is telling you and use the mask that best addresses the problem.
You don’t have to feel like you have to use a mask religiously every week. Keep your favorite mask for an evening pampering or an extra boost to your skincare routine.
Use a mask in the morning.
You shouldn’t feel like a mask is an evening product. You can use a mask in the morning, too. Why not opt for a mask enriched with vitamin C to brighten your face and energize you for the whole day? Don’t forget to apply sunscreen after you’ve finished your daily routine.
Leave enough time in the morning to give your mask enough time to work. If you try to use a mask when you’re running late or busy, it’s a waste of time.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
